Level with removable end cap

ABSTRACT

A level with a removable end cap is provided. The level includes a hollow level body. The end cap includes an outer member and locking member received within the outer member. The locking member is inserted into the outer member pushing a moveable portion of the outer member into a frictional engagement that holds the end cap assembly in place relative to the level body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/US2017/067601, filed Dec. 20, 2017, which claims priority to and thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/437,416, filed Dec. 21,2016, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Levels are used to measure the angle of surfaces on construction sitesand in other locations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, themost significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to thefigure number in which that element is first introduced.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a level.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the level of FIG. 1 includingan end cap.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the level illustrating the cross section of thelevel body.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an end cap clip.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an end cap locking member.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an end cap outer member.

FIG. 7 is a section view of the end cap outer member of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective longitudinal cross sectional view of the end capof the level of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a level 100 of the type typically used to measure thelevel or the plumb of various surfaces during construction or homeremodeling. The illustrated level 100 includes a body 102 that defines aplanar surface 112 and first and second handles 104. The body 102 alsosupports a center vial 106 that is arranged to measure the level(relative to horizontal) orientation of a surface and at least one plumbvial 108 arranged to measure the plumb (vertical orientation) of asurface. In the illustrated construction, spirit vials are used tomeasure the surfaces with other constructions including otherarrangements including digital levels or accelerometers.

In the illustrated construction, the level 100 is a box-type level wherethe body 102 is substantially box shaped as illustrated in FIG. 3. Asshown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, body 102 is formed from a piece ofmaterial (e.g., metal material) that is contiguous at at least somelongitudinal cross-sectional positions. Level body includes upper wall310, lower wall 312 and opposing sidewalls 314, and the inner surfaces316 of these walls define a hollow open area, shown as hollow space 302.In this construction, the body 102 defines a hollow space 302 andincludes a first rib 304 that extends along the interior surface 316 ofthe body 102. The illustrated construction includes ribs 304 disposedadjacent each corner of the body 102.

Returning to FIG. 1, the level 100 includes an end cap assembly, shownas an end cap 110, at each end of the level 100. The end cap 110 isarranged to protect the end of the level 100 and is also arranged to beremovable by the user without damaging the end cap 110. With referenceto FIG. 2 the end cap 110 includes an outer member 206, a locking member208, and a clip 402 (illustrated in FIG. 4) that fit within the body 102or engage the body 102 to form the end cap 110.

In general, clip 402 is received within hollow area 302 of level body102, and outer member 206 is received within hollow area 302 of levelbody 102 and within clip 402. Next locking member 208 is received withinouter member 206 and pushes a moveable portion of outer member 206 in toa frictional engagement that couples outer member 206 in a fixedposition relative to the level body. As will be discussed below, in aspecific embodiment, this pushing causes a projection on the outermember 206 to engage an aperture of the clip 402 coupling the outermember to the level body. In this manner, the locking member 208 ismoveable within the outer member 206 between a locked in whichfrictional coupling is generated coupling the end cap to the level bodyand unlocked position in which the end cap is removable from the levelbody.

With reference to FIG. 4 the clip 402 is illustrated in its uninstalledor free configuration. The clip 402 includes clip sidewalls, shown as afirst wall 404 and a second wall 404 opposite the first wall 404, thatboth extend outward from a clip end wall 412. The walls 404 are arrangedto define an oblique angle therebetween when in the free configuration.Each wall 404 includes an aperture 406 in about the center of each wall404, and a rib slot 410 and a hexagonal boss 408 on each end of the wall404. As shown, rib slot 410 and boss 408 are formed along the outersurface of wall 404, and boss 408 projects outward from the outersurface of wall 404.

To mount end cap 110 to level body 102, the clip 402 is arranged in thebody 102 with each of the clip sidewalls 404 running along and generallyparallel to the inner surfaces of body sidewalls 314 with each hexagonalboss 408 disposed within a hexagonal aperture 202 (shown in FIG. 2). Ofcourse, shapes other than hexagonal could be employed if desired. Inaddition, each rib slot 410 receives a rib 304 to properly align theclip 402 within space 302 of body 102. To position the clip 402 in thebody 102, the walls 404 are moved inward toward one another (e.g., bysqueezing walls 404) allowing clip 402 to slide into body 102. Walls 404are biased outward, and this bias helps to retain the clip 402 withinthe body 102. In other constructions, an adhesive can be used topermanently attach the clip 402 to the body 102.

As shown in FIG. 6, the outer member 206 is an elongated member with acap portion 601 that remains outside of the body 102 when installed, anda side arm 608 at each of the upper and lower ends and extending awayfrom the cap portion 601 and arranged to engage the inner surfaces ofthe body 102. When installed side arms 608 are positioned along theinner surfaces of upper wall 310 and lower wall 312 of level body 102. Amoveable portion, shown as first movable wall 604, includes aprojection, shown as locking button 606, that is fixed with respect tothe movable wall 604 and is preferably formed as one piece with themovable wall 604. A second movable wall (best illustrated in FIG. 7) ispositioned opposite the movable wall 604 and is substantially identicalto the movable wall 604. In generally moveable walls 604 are separatedfrom side arms 608 by gaps 603. As will be explained below, thisseparation allows side arms 608 to be pushed outward by locking member208 to create a frictional coupling that secures the end cap to thelevel body. A locking member aperture 602 is formed down the center ofthe outer member 206 and is sized to receive the locking member 208.

Turning to FIG. 5, the locking member 208 includes a pull portion 502and a block portion 504 that extends from the pull portion 502. The pullportion 502 is arranged to remain outside of the outer member 206 togive the user a surface to grab to move the locking member to theunlocked position relative to outer member 206 when it is desired toremove the end cap 110. The block portion 504 is a rectangular crosssection portion that is substantially rigid. In addition, at least oneengagement bump 508, one tab 506, and one guide member 510 are formed oneach side of the outer member 206.

FIG. 7 best illustrates the interior of the locking member aperture 602and the space between the first movable wall 604 and the second movablewall. As shown in FIG. 7, the outer member 206 includes a guide slot 702positioned and sized to receive the guide member 510 of the lockingmember 208. The outer member 206 also defines a cooperating surface,shown as locking surface 704, that operates to maintain the connectionbetween the locking member 208 and the outer member 206 when the end cap110 is removed. In general and as will be explained in more detailbelow, locking member 208 includes a stop structure that engages acooperating surface of outer member 206 such that full removal of thelocking member from the outer member is prevented when the lockingmember is in an unlocked position (i.e., outer member 206 and lockingmember 208 are held together when the end cap is removed from the levelbody).

With reference to FIGS. 4-8 the assembly and use of the end cap 110 willnow be described. First, the clip 402 is installed into the body 102 asdiscussed above. When installed walls 404 and clip 402 generally arepositioned adjacent to and/or in contact with the inner surfaces of body102 that defines hollow area 302. In this manner, clip 402 positions itsopenings 406 within level body 102. In this manner, as will be explainedin more detail below, clip 402 allows for mounting of outer member 206via engagement between locking button 606 and clip openings 406, withoutrequiring engagement between outer member 206 and holes formed throughthe side walls of level body 102. In some embodiments, the clip 402 isnot intended to be removed once installed into the body 102.

Once the clip 402 is mounted into level body 102, the outer member 206is then installed into the body 102 and into the clip 402. The outermember 206 is preferably manufactured from a relatively resilient orsoft material such as rubber. Thus, the movable walls 604 are generallyfree to move and do not engage the aperture 406 to lock the outer member206 in place until insertion of locking member 208.

The locking member 208 is next inserted into the locking member aperture602 of outer member 206. The locking member 208 is preferably formedfrom a hard, less resilient material than the outer member 206. Forexample, a hard plastic might be used for the locking member 208, whilea softer or more flexible material may be used for at least portions ofouter member 206. In specific embodiments, at least a portion ofmoveable walls 604 are formed from a material that is more flexible thanlocking member 208. In specific embodiments, moveable walls 604 areformed, at least in part, from a material that has a lower durometerand/or higher modulus of elasticity than that of a material of lockingmember 208.

When locking member 208 is installed into outer member 206 for the firsttime, each tab 506 is forced past the locking surface 704 of the outermember 206. The resiliency of the outer member 206 along with the rampedarrangement of each tab 506 facilitate this insertion. As the blockportion 504 moves between the movable walls 604 of outer member 206, themovable walls 604 are deflected outward until each locking button 606engages an aperture 406 of clip 402 to lock the end cap 110 in positionrelative to level body 102. In this arrangement, locking button 606 islocated completely within the hollow area 302 and does not extendthrough level body 102. In this position, each guide member 510 isreceived in a guide slot 702. In addition, each engagement bump 508cooperates with the guide member 510 to sandwich the locking surface 704and hold the locking member 208 in the locked position.

To remove the end cap 110, the user pulls on the locking member 208 toremove the block portion 504 from between the movable walls 604 movinglocking member outward away from level body 102. In the embodimentshown, each tab 506 engages the locking surface 704 to inhibit the fullremoval of the locking member 208 from the outer member 206. In otherwords, engagement between tabs 506 and locking surface 704 acts to holdlocking member 208 to outer member 206, when in the unlocked position.With locking member 208 in the unlocked position, block portion 504 ismoved such that block portion 504 does not push moveable walls 604 intoengagement with the openings of the clip. Thus, without the blockportion 504 providing structural support for the movable walls 604, themovable walls 604 are free to deflect inwardly to release each lockingbutton 606 from each aperture 406, thereby allowing the removal of theend cap 110. In specific embodiments, moveable walls 604 are not biasedinward, and in such embodiments, the end cap structure is shaken suchthat buttons 606 disengage from apertures 406.

It should be understood that the figures illustrate the illustrativeembodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the presentapplication is not limited to the details or methodology set forth inthe description or illustrated in the figures. It should also beunderstood that the terminology is for the purpose of description onlyand should not be regarded as limiting.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects ofthe invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view ofthis description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in thevarious exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only afew embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Someelements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwisevaried, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions maybe altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logicalalgorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according toalternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes andomissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions andarrangement of the various illustrative embodiments without departingfrom the scope of the present invention.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps beperformed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim doesnot actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is nototherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that thesteps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intendedthat any particular order be inferred. In addition, as used herein, thearticle “a” is intended to include one or more component or elements,and is not intended to be construed as meaning only one. As used herein,rigidly coupled refers to two components being coupled in a manner suchthat the components move together in fixed positional relationship whenacted upon by a force.

Various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any ofthe features, and any such combination of features may be claimed inthis or future applications. Any of the features, elements, orcomponents of any of the illustrative embodiments discussed above may beutilized alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, orcomponents of any of the other embodiments discussed above.

What is claimed is:
 1. A level comprising: a level body comprising an upper wall, a lower wall and two sidewalls extending therebetween, wherein inner surfaces of each of the upper wall, of the lower wall and of the two sidewalls define a hollow open area; a level vial supported by the level body; and an end cap assembly removably coupled to an end of the level body, the end cap assembly comprising: a clip received within the hollow open area of the level body and coupled to the level body, the clip comprising an aperture; an outer member comprising a moveable wall received within the clip and a projection extending from the moveable wall; and a locking member received within the outer member, wherein the locking member pushes the moveable wall such that the projection engages the aperture of the clip coupling the outer member to the level body.
 2. The level of claim 1, wherein the clip further comprises a pair of opposing clip sidewalls that extend from a clip endwall, wherein the aperture of the clip is defined in one of the sidewalls.
 3. The level of claim 2, wherein the pair of clip sidewalls each extend along the inner surface of one of the sidewalls of the level body.
 4. The level of claim 2, wherein the clip further comprises a second aperture, wherein one of the apertures is defined in each of the sidewalls of the clip.
 5. The level of claim 2, wherein the clip further comprises a boss extending outward from an outer surface of each of the clip sidewalls, wherein each sidewall of the level body comprises openings that receive the bosses of the clip.
 6. The level of claim 2, wherein the clip further comprises a rib slot defined along an outer surface of each of the clip sidewalls, wherein inner surfaces of each of the level body sidewalls define a rib that is received in one of the rib slots of the clip.
 7. The level of claim 2, wherein the clip sidewalls each extend in a direction that is substantially parallel to the inner surfaces of the level body sidewalls.
 8. The level of claim 1, wherein the locking member is formed from a material that is more rigid than a material of the outer member.
 9. The level of claim 1, wherein the locking member comprises a stop structure that engages a cooperating surface of the outer member such that full removal of the locking member from the outer member is prevented when the locking member is in an unlocked position.
 10. The level of claim 1, wherein the outer member comprises a cap portion, a first side arm extending outward from an upper end of the cap portion and a second sidearm extending outward from a lower end of the cap portion.
 11. The level of claim 10, wherein the first side arm extends along an inner surface of the upper wall of the level body and the second side arm extends along an inner surface of the lower wall of the level body when the outer member is received within the clip.
 12. The level of claim 1, wherein the projection of the outer member is located completely within the hollow area.
 13. The level of claim 12, wherein the projection does not extend through the level body.
 14. A level comprising: a level body comprising an inner surface defining a hollow open area, a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end; a level vial supported by the level body; and an end cap assembly detachably coupled to each of the first and second ends of the level body, at least one of the end cap assemblies comprising: a clip received within the hollow open area of the level body and coupled to the level body, the clip comprising an aperture located adjacent to the inner surface of the level body; an outer member comprising a moveable portion received within the clip and a projection extending from the moveable portion; and a locking member received within the outer member, wherein the locking member is moveable within the outer member between a locked and unlocked position, wherein, in the locked position, the locking member pushes the moveable portion such that the projection engages the aperture of the clip coupling the outer member in a fixed position relative to the level body.
 15. The level of claim 14, wherein the clip further comprises a pair of opposing clip sidewalls that extend from a clip endwall, wherein the aperture of the clip is defined in one of the clip sidewalls.
 16. The level of claim 15, wherein the level body comprises a pair of sidewalls, wherein the pair of clip sidewalls extend along inner surfaces of the sidewalls of the level body.
 17. The level of claim 14, wherein the locking member is formed from a material that is more rigid than a material of the outer member.
 18. The level of claim 14, wherein the locking member comprises a stop structure that engages a cooperating surface on the outer member such that full removal of the locking member from the outer member is prevented when the locking member is in the unlocked position.
 19. A level comprising: a level body comprising an inner surface defining a hollow open area, a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end; a level vial supported by the level body; and an end cap assembly detachably coupled to each of the first and second ends of the level body, at least one of the end cap assemblies comprising: an outer member received within the hollow open area, the outer member comprising a moveable portion; and a locking member received within the outer member, wherein the locking member is moveable within the outer member between a locked and unlocked position, wherein, in the locked position, the locking member pushes the moveable portion in to a frictional engagement that couples the outer member in a fixed position relative to the level body.
 20. The level of claim 19, wherein the end cap assembly comprises a clip received within the hollow open area of the level body, wherein the frictional engagement is between the clip and the moveable portion of the outer member. 